Valve



May 29, 1 945. C. A MORGAN VALVE 2 sheets-snet 2 Filed Feb. l, 1943 Patented May 29, 1945 VALVE Charles A. Morgan, Plainview,

Tex., assignor of vone-half to L. B. Newman,PIalnview, Tex. Application February 1, 1943, Serial No. 474,295 -f 13 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in valves.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved valve which is so constructed that it is .positively sealed when in either its open or closed position. f

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved valve which is particularly adapted to be used in controlling the flow of fluids under high pressure and which includes a rotatable valve element having wedge means associated therewith, whereby the element is tightly wedged and held in its open or closed position to prevent leakage of the valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved high pressure valve, of the character described, wherein the wedge means is relaxed or disengaged during rotation of the valve element, whereby said valve element may be quicklyand easily moved from one position to the other.

' A further object of the invention is to provide an improved valve having a rotary valve element which includes an 4actuating core and -arcuate segments or gates connected to the core, the segments and core being formed with co-acting wedge surfaces for frictionally locking the same in both their open and closed positions, whereby said segments and core are sealed off from each other and from the valve to prevent leakage thereof.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved valve, of the character described. wherein the actuating core'is movable a slight distance relative to the segments so as to provide lost-motion therebetween which momentarily delays rotation of said segments by said core and permits disengagement of the wedge surfaces during rotation, thereby minimizing frictional resistance to said rotation.

Still another object ofthe invention is to provide an improved valve having a separate set of co-acting wedge surfaces for not only frictionally locking but also for positively sealing the valve element in each of its positions, each set of wedge surfaces being disengaged when the other set is in engagement, and said valve element bein" simultaneously raised or -lowered as it rotates from one position to' the other to disengaee one set of wedge surfaces and engage the other, whereby neither set of wedge surfaces are in en .gr-agement during rotation of the element.

A still tuzther object of the invention is to provide an improved valve, of the character described, wherein either the bonnet or the base of the valve may be removed for repairs while the valve element is in either its open or closed posi- Figure l is a transverse, vertical, sectional viewy of a valve, constructed in accordance with the invention, and shown in its closed position,

Figure 2 is a View, similar to Figure 1, showing the valve in its open position,

Figure 3 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the actuating core,

Figure 6 is an isometric view of one of the arcuate segments or gates, and

Figure '7 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of a slightly modified form of valve.

In the drawings, the numeral III designates a valve body or housing which is generally cylindrical andwhich has Aa cylindrical bore II extending axially throughout the length thereof. The usual diametrically-opposed iiow openings or ports I2 are formed in the wall of the body and communicate with the bore II. A collar I3, preferably made integral with the body and forming a part thereof, surrounds each port I2 and is internally screw-threaded yfor receiving a pipe or line I4. For closing the upper endl of the bore II, a flanged closure or bonnet I5 is fastened to the upper surface of said body by a plurality of stud bolts I6. Similar bolts Il secure a hanged Vbase plate or disk IB to the bottom of the body so as to close the lower end of the bore.

For controlling the flow through the valve body, a "circular valve element I9 is rotatably mounted within the bore Il and is provided with' a transverse, diametrically-extending passage 20 of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the ports I2. The valve element I9 includes a A central actuating core or member 2|, circular in cross-section, and a pair of semi-cylindrical segments or gates 22.

3 and 4, the segments 22 surround the core 2| and have their outer surfaces complementary to and in engagementwith the wall of the bore II. The passage 20 extends through the core and both of the segments and when said elements are in Asis clearly shown in Figures tinuous opening through the body and thereby permit an uninterrupted flow through the pipe or line |4. Each segment 22 is provided with y recesses 23 at the upper and lower endsl of its will result in rotation of said segments.

ments, an operating rod or stein4 25 depends axialengaging within a socket or recess 26 formed in the upper end ofv said core. The socket 26 and the lower end of the stem are angular in` crosssaid socketbelng formed in part by an annular the core. A radial iiange 28'is preferably made integral with the stem immediately above the lower end thereof and is conilned within a chamberV or recess 29 formed in the lower surface of the bonnet I5, whereby displacement ofv saidstem is prevented. The bore of the bonnet has its upper ring 30 which surrounds and packs ci! around the stem .25. For confining the packing member 38 and is engaged by a cap member 32 screwupper end of the stem .28 is also angular in crosssection to `provide a plurality of wrench faces 33, whereby said stem-may be turnedto rotate the core 2`| and segments 22.

andare right-hand threads, it is obvious that 25,v said'co're will be raised or lowered a slight distance relativeto the-segments. A counterclockwise rotation of the core (Fig. a) will envar@ .fact that'.v the depth of the recesses 23 of the segments 22 is greater than the heightl or thickness of the keys 24, vertical movement of the core relative tov said segments is permitted. Also, the

keys as shown in Figures 3 and 4 so that the segments will remain stationary during a part of the travel of the core.

The segments and c ore are confined within the bore of the. valveV body by upper` and lower annular bearings or retaining plates 38 and since lower one will be described. Each bearing 36 and engages within a recess 31 form body by enlarging the end portion of said bore. The internal diameter of the bearing 38 is substantially equal to the externaldiameter of the collar 21, or the collar whereby said bearing has a snug sliding iit upon its .respective collar. The recess 31 extendsvertically inwardly of the internal surface for receiving radial keys or lugs. 24 formed on the upper and lower -peripheral portions of the core, whereby rotation of said core i0 For impartingrotation to the coreand segthe bearings are-substantially identical, only the the positionv shown in Figure 2,v said e` registers with thev ports I2 to provide a con-l 1 bearing 3B and the external peripheral end por tion of each segment 22, which end portion engages saidbearing. is cut away as shown at 38 to provide with said recess an annular channel 39 between the segments-and the body I0 for receiving a metallic sealing ring 40. A similar .sealing ring 4|, of neoprene, rubber or other suitable material, is (ioliil'eiti.l Within the channel ly through the bonnet i8 and has its lower end section and are complementary to each other,

collar 21 which projects upwardly from the top of 38 betweenthe metallic ring '40 and the bearing 38. Due' tothe provision ofthe sealing rings 40 and 4|, the spacebetweenthe segments, the wall oi" the bore and the bearing 36` isconstantly sealed off to prevent nuid vfrom the line |4l from entering the upper o r lower' portion of the valve body.

l For sealing oil between the core 2| and each bearing 38, a packing ring 42, of neoprene, rubber or other suitable material, is interposed between said core and bearing and is disposed within a-recess 43 formed in the inner transverse or horizontal surface of the bearing at its inner -peripheral portion. The internal periphery of en'd enlarged to receive a packing member or within the. bore of the bonnet, a follower ring 3| is disposed within said bore abovev said member.

threaded onto the upper end of said bonnet. The

For raising and lowering the core relative to the segments, as will hereinafter be more fully exthe packing ring 42 engages the collar 21 or 35 and`has an external diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the core, whereby the ex' ternal peripheral portion of said ring projects beyond and engages the ends ,of the segments 22. Thus, the segments tend to hold the ring 42 in place and prevent displacement of the same. The

usual gaskets 44, or other suitable sealing means,

' are confined between the bonnet IB, the base plate |8 and the valve body for packing ofi therebetween and a laminated, metallic, thrust shim 45 is interposed between'each bearing 38 and said 'bonnet or said base plate, whereby the segments and'l core of the valve element may be properly alined longitudinally within the bore relative to the ports' i2. The shims 4I provide yieldable means for' cushioning the movement of the segof th'e'stud 34 and socket 3l are relatively coarse l whenever the core is' rotated by turning the stem v ments and permit longitudinal adjustment of said segments to compensate for wear thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

As is clearly shown in. Figure 5, the external cylindrical surface of the core 2| is tapered or ,inclined upwardly` and inwardly to provide a frusta-conical wedge or bearing surface 4B. The lower end ofthe core is beveled inwardly and downwardly at an angle to the wedge surface 48 toprovide an inclined wedge surface 41, while an upwardly and outwardly inclined wedge surface 48 is formed at' the upper end of said core above said surface 48. It is preferable that the said core, while rotation in a clockwise or opposite direction will lower the core. Due to the recesses are of greater width than the coacting l has a greater external diameter than the bore in the' lugs or keys 24 which coact with the recesses 23 of the segments'be made integral with the wedge surfaces 41 and 48. The wedgel surfaces of the core are adapted to coact with corresponding or complementary wedge surfaces 48, 58 and 5| formed on the internal, arcuate surface of each segment (Fig. 6). The upwardly and inwardly inclined intermediate wedge surface 48 of each segment coacts with the surface 43 f the core, while the downwardly and ,inwardly inclined lower surface 50 and the upwardly and outwardly v inclined upper surface 5| of said segment are adapted to coact with the upper and lower surfaces 41 and 48, respectively, of said core.

The passage 20 of the valve element I9 extends through the core and each segment at an'acute angle relative to the keys 24 and recesses 23 as indicated by the numerals 20| and'iiJZ.l` When the core is in its lower position as shown in Figure 1, the surfaces 50 and 5| are in Wedging engagement with the surfaces 41 and 48, respectively,

communication through the valve body being shut oil due to the passages 20| and'2li2 being offset the vertical Joints or gaps between thesegments 2,376,975 relative tothe ports Miriam,v m disposicion, i

are preferably disposed at an Aangle of approximately forty-five (45) degreesfreiative to the axis o f the ports l2. As is clearly shown in Figure f1, the surfaces 48 and 40 of the core and segments are spaced from each other so as to be-disn engaged in this position. Also,v the keys or lugs* with the surfaces 40 'and continued v' rotation of y the core will result in a counter-clockwise move'- ment of the segments. It is pointed out that due to the greater widthv of the recesses 23,',the keys 24 will move into engagement with the counter- I clockwise walls of said recesses upon counterclockwise movement of the core so as to aline the passages and 202 of saidy core and segmentsl prior to rotation of the segments. Manifestly, this movement of the core relatively to the segments is necessary in order to release the upper and lower wedge surfaces.

After alinement of the passages 20| and 202 of the core and segments, said core and segments will move as a unit in a counter-clockwise direction through a ninety (90) degree angle vuntil said passages are alined with the ports i2 of the valve body. During this rotation. thecore will be constantly moved upwardly relative to the segments due to the screw-'threaded stud 34 and socket 35, thereby moving the intermediate wedge surfaces 46 and 49 toward each other and the is clearly shown in Figure 2, the' intermediate .wedge surfaces are in positive engagement so as.

to frictionally lock the core and segments in open or communicating position upon completion of the counter-clockwise rotation.` When in this position, the segment joints or gaps are again disposed at approximately a forty-five (45) degree angle relative to the axis of the ports i2, attention being directed to the `i'act that'said gaps or Joints have not been moved across said ports because the same have merely been moved from adjacent one pori; i2 to a position contiguous to the other port.

When it is desired to shut of! flow through the valve body, the stem is turnedv in a clockwise direction so as to rotate the corein such" direction. Upon this movement of the core, the keys 24 will beirst moved into engagement with the clockwise walls of the recesses 23 and thepassage 20| of said core will be clockwise misalined with the passages 202 of the segments. This rotation of the core relative to the segments will also result in downward relative movement of said core, whereby the intermediate wedge surfaces 46 and upon the initial and endingportlonso! suchfrotation.

Attention is directed to the fact/that the relajl tive positions of the core and segments' aswell1 as the relative movements or timing thereof'are i By varying the..v thickness of the shims, the segments may be'adv controlled by the shims te.

dusted longitudinally with respect to the core, thereby compensating for weer oi' the wedge surfaces. If the upper and lower wedge surfaces 41. 48, 00 and iii become worn, the thickness oi the lower shim is increased and the upper shim is decreasedin thickness. Conversely, an'incre'ase in the thickness of the upper shim and a reduction of the lower shims thickness willeompens'ate for wear of the intermediate wedge surfaces 40 and 48. Due to their yieldability, the shims also cushion the iinal or endingmoveinent of the seg- 49 will be disengaged. Upon the core and segments approaching their original or closed position, the upper and lower wedge surfaces 41 and 48 will commence to move into engagement with the wedge surfaces 50 and 5| and said surfaces.

will be in positive engagement upon completion of the clockwise rotation. Thus, none of the wedge surfaces are in engagement during the ments as the same are rotated from one position Y y to the other, whereby tightening of the engagement of the wedge surfaces is permitted.

From the foregoing, it is manifest that the,

core and segments of the valve element are positively locked in position by the engagement'be- Y tween their wedge surfaces so that leakage into the body of the valve is prevented.l Whenthe valve element is in its closed or non-eommuni- ,I l cating position, the upper and lower wedge As'urfaces also serve to seal ofi the space between the core andsegment, while-the intermediate wedge surfaces seal ofi such space' when the valveelement is in its open or communicating Vposition Obviously, the external surfacesofthe segments are in frictional sealing engagement with the wall of the bore il when the valve element 'is in its open or closed position so as to prevent iluid in the line ifi from iiowing into the upper or lower portions of said bore. The upper and lowerpacking rings i2 likewise constantly function to seal oil between the valve element and the thrust bearings or retaining rings 36, while the `bore il and segments are sealed by the sealing rings Sil and di. However, the lower packing ring 42 provides a positive seal when the core is in its lower or closed position and the upper packing ring 36 positively seals when the core is in its raised or open position. Manifestly, the bonnet i5 or lease plate iii may be removed during use of the valve for repair purposes due to the frictional locking engagement of the wedge surfaces.

@slightly modied form of valve is shown in.

Figure 7 and includes upper and lower cam members and iii instead of the enacting screwthreaded stud till and socket Sli. The upper socket 2B and collar 2l as well as the lower socket 35 and collar 535' are formed with smooth cylindrical bores for receiving the cam members. The

upper cam member t@ includes upper and lower annular cam rings or elements 62 ands-B3 having complementary contiguous surfaces 663; An annular iiange' @t is formed on vthe upper cam ring B2 andv is keyed orotherwise secured tothe bonnet IE. wherelovsaid ring is heldv against rota- 1 i tion of the stem below the fiangei is reduced in diameter and is keyed or otherwise. secured to the lower ring til so that turning'of the stem segments from-one'position tothe ,otiierlandlaid surfaces move out of and into viei'lii iilitlitonly will rotate ysaid ring. The lower cam member 6I includes a pair of cam blocks 68 and 69, hav-` ing complementary contiguous surfaces 10; the upper cam block being keyed within the cylindrical socket 35 and the lower cam block being made integral or otherwise secured to the base plate I8. Thus, the upper cam ring 62 and lower cam block 69 remain stationary, while the lower ring 63 and upper block B8 rotate or turn with the stem 6E and valve core 2|. 4

Attention is directed to the fact that the cam 'surfaces' 6.4 of the upper cam member 60 are offset relative to the cam surfaces 'I0 of the lower cam member 6I, whereby the lobes of the upper cam surfaces will be alined and inengagement with each other when the lobes of the lower cam surfaces are misalined or in a non-operating position. Thus, when the lobes of the cam sur-1 faces 64 are in engagement, the core 2| is forced downwardly and held in its lowermost position with its wedge surfaces 41 and 48 engaging the surfaces 50 and 5I, respectively, of the segments.` Upon counter-clockwise rotation of the stem 66 and core, the lobes of the lower cam surfacesfl will be aligned and engaged to force said core upwardly relative to thesegments and move the` 60 forces the core downwardly and the lower cam member 6l forces said core upwardly.

The 'foregoing description. of the invention isj explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the de-1 tails of the illustrated construction; may be made,` within the scope of the appended claims, with-1 out departing from the spirit of the invention.

Patent is:

1. A. valve including, a housing having a flow: openingand a bore intersecting the opening al valve elementvrotatably mounted in the bore and having a passage adapted to be registered withl and non-registering position, and packing means overlying and underlying the valve member so as to be interposed between said member and the housing for sealing on therebetween, the raising and lowering of the member moving the same into engagement with the packing means for effecting a more positive seal.

3. Avalve' including, a body having a cylinl drical bore and laterally-disposed ports communicating with the bore and adapted to be connected to a. now line, a cylindrical valve element rotatably mounted in the bore and having a transverse passage adapted to be moved into and out of registration with theports by rotation oi' the v-alve element, said element including an actuating core and external segments having connection with the core and engaging the wall of said bore, said core and segments being formed with contiguous angular surfaces' which coact with each other to positively lock the valve element in a registering position and in a non-registering position, the core being movable relative to the segments, cam members below said core for elevating the core relative to said segments,

and cam members above said core for lowering the same relative to the segments, whereby rotation of the valve element in one direction will elevate the core to engage the angular surfaces and lock said elenent in one position and rota- -tion of the element in the opposite 'direction will transverse passage adapted to be moved into and What I claim and desire to secure by LettersV the flow opening to permit a flowI therethrough,v v

means carried by and rotatable with the valve element and interposed between said element and bore, the valve `element and means having co`V acting wedge surfaces for positively locking said element and means in registering and non-reg-i istering position, and packing means overlyingI and underlying the'valve element and portions; of the means carried by said element so as to bev interposed between the element, said carried means and the housing for sealing on there- `l between.

2. A valve including, a body having a cylindricalbore and diametrically-opposed ports com-l municating with the bore and adapted to be connected to a flow line, a. rotatable cylindrical valve member mounted in the bore, the valve member raising and lowering the valve member upon rotation thereof, Wedge means for positively locking said rmember with its passage in registering out of registration with the ports by rotation of the valve element, said element including an actuating core and external segments having connection with the core and engaging the wall of said bore, said core and segments being formed with contiguous angular surf-aces which coact with each other to positively lock the valve element inav registering position and in a nonregistering position, the core being'movable relaytive to the segments, and means for elevating and'lowering said core relative to said segments upon rotation of thevalve element, whereby rotation of said element in one direction will elevate l the core to engage the angular surfaces and lock l the element in position and rotation of said e1e' ment in the opposite direction will lower said core to engage said angular surfaces and lock the element in its other position, the angular surfaces for locking the valve element in its nonregistering position being disposed adjacent each 4nectedto a flow line, a cylindrical valve element rotatably mounted in the bore andr having a transverse passage adapted to be moved into and out of registration with the ports by rotation of the valve element, said element including an actuating core and external segments having connection with the core and engaging the wall of said bore, said core and segments being formed with contiguous angular surfaces which coact I with each other to positively lock the valve eleand having a moved into and rotatably' mounted in v transverse passage adapted to be out of registration with the ports by rotation of the valve element, said element including an actuating core and including, a.Y body having a cylin-l drical bore and laterally-disposed ports commuand lock the element in its other position.

8. A valve in accordance with claim 7 wherein the pair of wedge surfaces are disposed adjacent each end portion of the core and each segment and the single wedge surface is intermediate said 'ing and lowering the core.

10. A valve including, a body having a cylindrical bore and laterally-disposed ports commuscrewthreaded pin nection between said plate vand the transverse and socket consaid core and wedge surfaces i'or locking ment of the core movement of said ments and thereby core and segments so as to thel same.

\12.A valve including, a body having a cylindrical bore and laterally-disposed ports commu- I nicating with the bore and adapted to be connected toa iiow line, a cylindrical valve element rotatably mounted in the bore and having a tr'ansverse passage adapted to bemoved into and out of registration with the ports by rotation of the valve element, said element including an actuating core and external segments having connection with the core and engaging thewall of said bore, said core and each segment being formed each other to locking said element with asingle wedge surface which coact with positively lock the valve element in one position and a4 pair of wedge surfaces for in its other position upon axial movement of the core relative to the seglments, a pin and slot connection between said core and segments for permitting axial movement of cause axial movement of fthe core, means for axially moving the core, upon' `'rotation of the valve `preventing axial movement of the segments,

element, and means for whereby rotation of said element will initially said core independent of said segments andV thereby disengage the surfaces of the core and segments so as to facilitate rotation of the same.

` 13.. A valve as set forth in claimv'l wherein the 1 single wedge surface of each of the segments andl core is substantiallyv conical and is disposed intermediate the pair of wedge surfaces, said latter surfaces being substantially conical and being .disposed at inclination tothe intermediatev conical i surface.

CHARLES' A. MORGAN. Y 

